USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 54
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The fire of April 13, 1872, was first discovered in Mrs. Abel Rawson's house on Miami Street and Milton McNeal's house on Sandusky Street: next. four barns north of Ogle's store; then Le Baron's stave factory, Singer's resi- dence, Fishbaugh's pump factory, Sneath's warehouse, Kamp's planing-mill, Bartell's saloon and Benner's house. The total loss was estimated at $95,000. The value and location of property destroyed is given in the following list: McNeal's merchandise, $2,000; Mrs. Rawson's buildings, $3,500; A. & F. Ogle's buildings, $9,000; T. Collin's merchandise, $1,900; D. C. Baughman's brick and frame buildings, $2,000; A. Meehan's building, $2,000-all on Sandusky Street. A. & F. Ogle's. $3,000; A. McNeal's, $3,000, and Mrs. Glick's buildings, $500-all on Miami Street. D. Arndt, $4,000; D. Bartell, $4,000; George Benner, $1,000; John Knott, $600; W. Shugan, $1,500. and P. Hartner, $200-all on south side of Adams Street. Jacob Kuhn, $1,000, B. Troxell, $1,800; railroad company's buildings and whisky, $2,500-all on North Adams Street. Mrs. Bresnin's house, $800; M. Kuhn, $2,500; B. Quinn, $600; Le Baron, $15,000; T. T. & E. Railroad Company's ties burned, $500-all on Franklin Street. E. Olmstead, $2,500; F. J. Wagner, $3.000; H. L. Kendall, $3,500; A. Brandebury, $3,000; Samuel Shade, $1,000; Fred Singer, $3,200-all on Washington Street. George Fishbaugh, $1,500; Paul Miller, $1,500, and L. Bang, $1,000- on Minerva Street.
To the fire department may be credited the escape of all this portion of the city from destruction. The Sandusky Engine Company arrived on the scene, but after one-half hour's work, an accident to their engine rendered their work ineffective.
Postmasters .- David Risdon, the first postmaster at Fort Ball. was also the pioneer postmaster of the county. This was the office for Tiffin up to the spring of 1829, when Jacob Plane was appointed postmaster at Tiffin. Henry Cronise, who settled at Tiffin in 1826, was postmaster up to November, 1839, when he was succeeded by George Knupp. Joseph Walker, one of the pio- neer merchants of the settlement, was appointed successor to George Knupp, and in October, 1841, removed the office to his house, about where the Empire Block now stands. H. G. W. Cronise was appointed postmaster in December, 1847, and served until May, 1849, when Dr. James Fisher took charge of the office. In July, 1854, George L. Knupp was commissioned postmaster, and served until 1857, when W. W. Armstrong took charge. In April, 1861, Postmaster Armstrong handed the keys of the office to H. L. McKee, appointed by the Lincoln administration- the first Republican postmaster here. Since the appointment of the present postmaster, Locke, the office has grown to. be one of the most important in the State.
482
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Municipal History .- The act passed March 7, 1835, incorporated the town of Tiffin. This was amended in 1836-37.
An election of officers for the town of Tiffin took place June 29, 1836, at Eli Norris' tavern, when Dr. Kuhn was elected Mayor. The meeting was called by George W. Gist, N. Goetschius, M. M. Mason, George Park, Charles Lewis, John Bangher, M. D. Cadwallader, Joel Stone, J. W. Miller and David Beck. In May, 1837, two tickets were placed before the citizens of Tiffin, viz. :
WHIG.
Mayor-Richard Sneath. Recorder-John J. Steiner.
DEMOCRAT. Mayor-Henry Cronise.
Recorder-Calvin Bradley,
Council-John Walker, J. Goodin, J. Baugher, James Fisher and Thomas Lloyd.
Council-W. D. Searles, J. Goodin, H. Zimmerman, J. Baugher and John Pittinger.
The election, which took place May 6, 1837, resulted in the choice of the following officers: Mayor, Dr. Henry Kuhn; recorder, Calvin Bradley; council, Thomas Lloyd, John Baugher, John Goodin, John Pittinger and John Walker.
In 1838-39 Jefferson Freese was recorder, and Gabriel J. Keen mayor of Tiffin. John Goodin, Thomas Lloyd and Henry Zimmerman formed the council.
In 1842 an act amendatory of the act of 1839 amending the original act of 1835 incorporating the town of Tiffin was passed. The Gazette in criticiz- ing the act, stated that a government of the town under the act of 1842 is preferable to the poor government provided for in former acts. A mayor, recorder and five trustees were to be elected annually. The first election under the amended act took place March 29, 1842, when Henry Ebbert was elected mayor; Jesse Stem, recorder; W. D. Searles, George Rummell, U. R. Flen- ner, Henry Gross and Jacob Fleming, trustees.
An election held at Tiffin in March, 1843, resulted in the choice of Henry Ebbert for mayor; Jesse Stem, recorder; Henry Gross, Levi Keller, Fred Singer, W. D. Searles and Jacob Boyer, councilmen.
The Tiffin election took place March 29, 1844. The contestants for office and vote are given as follows: Mayor-Gabriel J. Keen (D.), 98; Henry Ebbert (W.), 94. Recorder-Warren P. Noble (D.), 98; Jesse Stem (W.), 92. Coun- cilmen-Chris. Snyder. Joshua Seney, Samuel Nolan, Jacob Boyer and Fred. Singer, all Democrats, received from 97 to 101 votes; Charles F. Dresbach Jacob Huss, Francis Rife, W. J. Lewis and George Black, all Whigs, received from 88 to 97 votes, Dresbach (W.) being a tie with Snyder (D).
Tiffin election of April, 1845, resulted in the choice of Charles F. Dresbach for mayor, who received 103 votes against ninety-three received by Joshua Seney. Warren P. Noble, 101 votes, recorder; William Campbell, 100; W. D. Searles, 100; F. Rife, 97, and Chris Snyder, 97, a tie vote; and S. Nolan and F. Singer, 96, a tie vote; and Joseph Gibson, 99 votes.
Tiffin election, 1846, resulted in the choice of Benjamin Pittinger for mayor, W. H. Gibson, recorder; Rolla Johnson, A. C. Baldwin, Jacob Fleming, Jesse Stem and Wilson J. Lewis, councilmen.
The Tiffin elections of March, 1847, resulted in the choice of David E. Owen, mayor; James P. Pillars, recorder; Jesse Stem, W. H. Keilholtz, Andrew Albrecht, Joseph Gibson and Charles F. Dresbach, councilmen.
In March, 1848, John W. Patterson was elected mayor; William Lang, recorder; H. Groff, Andrew Denzer, John Myers, Gabriel J. Keen and Daniel Dildine, Jr., councilmen.
The March election of 1849, for town officers of Tiffin, resulted as follows:
y G Valentine
485
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Mayor, W. D. Searles; recorder, William Lang; councilmen, Daniel Cunning- ham, W. H. Gibson, Andrew Denzer, Henry W. Owen and W. H. Keilholtz. There is a second record in existence, which points out very different results for this election.
Under the act of March, 1850, the towns of Tiffin and New Fort Ball were reorganized under one government, and an election ordered to be held April 20, 1850, with Messrs. Pittinger, Keilholtz, Groff, Flaugher, mayor of Fort Ball, Amon Riggs, and Jacob Boyer, judges of election.
The town of New Fort Ball was incorporated under the act of March 19, 1849. The first election was held March 30, 1849, when George C. Small was elected mayor; James P. Pillars, recorder; Christian Yost, L. A. Hall, Jacob Boyer, W. P. Noble and Samuel Mitchell, trustees. Under the act of 1850, the two corporations were consolidated, and the first meeting held April 29. 1850: William Lang received 220 votes for mayor, while George L. Whar- ton received only 103. The votes for treaurer were: Robert Crum, 225; George Knupp, 74; and W. H. Gibson, 20; for marshal, Samuel H. Kissinger, 132; John Myers, 88; John Knott, 59; and Daniel Creeger, 41. The council elected the clerk W. M. Johnson over Robert C. Scott, the vote standing 4 to 3. The councilmen elected were W. H. Gibson, W. H. Keilholtz. Jacob Flaugher, Jr. and William Johnson, councilmen.
The mayors of the city since 1851 are named as follows: William Lang, 1851; W. M. Johnson, 1853; R. G. Pennington, 1854; Daniel Cunningham, 1855; James M. Patterson, 1857; William M. Johnson, 1859; Alfred Landon, 1863; R. L. Griffith, 1869; George W. Bachman, 1873; J. H. Pittinger, 1877; Har- rison Noble, 1880; J. C. Royer, 1883-87. The vote recorded for mayor in April, 1885, was, for Royer, Democratic, 1,070; for Abbott, Republican, 759.
The clerks of the city since 1851 are named in the following list: R. R. Scott, 1851; J. H. Pittinger, 1859; O. C. Zeller, 1861; Joseph A. Johnson, 1869; S. J. Kintz, 1871; P. H. Ryan, 1877; Charles J. M. Sullivan, 1879; W. H. Dore, 1885.
Treasurers of the city: Robert Crum, 1851; John Pride, 1852; R. M. C. Martin, 1853; Jesse H. Leidy, 1854; P. Nynam, 1858; John Houck, 1859; F. Wagner, 1861; William Lang, 1873; J. W. Barrack, 1878; John Heabler, 1882; and the present treasurer, appointed after the death of Heabler, in September, 1885.
City Solicitors .- J. W. Wilson, 1853; W. M. Johnson, 1854; Luther A. Hall, 1855; Harrison Noble, 1857; Elam Willard, 1859; John McCauley, 1863; Frank Baker (now of Chicago), 1867; John McCauley, 1873; John McCauley, 1875; Alfred Landon, 1877; Perry M. Adams, 1880; Hiram C. Keppel, 1882; Harvey C. Platt, 1883; the name of J. H. Platt appears in 1884 as solicitor. The elections of April, 1885, gave 1,128 votes to James H. Platt, Democrat, against 639 to Pennington, Republican.
Assessors, 1885 .- The assessors, elected in 1885, are named in the following record of election. The first five named are Democrats, the latter five Repub- licans, one of whom. Bowersox, was elected, beating Schwartz, the Democrat, in the Second Ward: Ryan, 197; Schwartz, 156; Silvers, 265; Cornely, 194; Hafley, 250; Snyder, 106; Bowersox, 216; Sohn, 152; Young, 105; Yerk, 114.
School Census Enumerator .- Squire Beilharz was appointed enumerator for taking the school census of the city in August, 1885.
Councilmen .-- The city council of 1851 comprised W. H. Gibson, William Johnson, Andrew Denzer, Jacob Flaugher, William Keilholtz and Amon Riggs.
1852 .- W. D. Searles, Luther A. Hall, William Holtz.
26
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
1853 .- Hezekiah Groff, P. Speilman, Andrew Denzer.
1854. - Lewis Martin, William Holtz.
1855 .- John D. Loomis, Robert G. Pennington.
1856 .-- Hezekiah Groff, W. M. Johnson.
1857 .- John Poorman, William Holtz.
1858. - George H. Heming, Arial B. Hovey.
1859 .- Cooper K. Watson, Frank Wagner.
1860 .- J. M. Zahm, Ariel B. Hovey.
1861 .- Jonathan Smith, William Holtz.
1862 .- William C. Hedges, Hezekiah Groff.
1863 .- Harrison Noble, J. L. Fisher.
1864 .- G. W. Cunningham, Isaac Kagy,
1865. - John L. Fisher, Harrison Noble. At this time Dr. A. B. Hovey and Dr. E. J. Mccollum were elected members of the board of health, and Augustus Muetchler, market-master.
1866 .- George W. Cunningham, John Fiege.
1867 .- Harrison Noble, W. M. Johnson.
1868 .- Francis Wagner, J. T. Kaupp. The question of the annexation of territory to the city was approved by the people this year.
1869 .- Philip Emich, John L. Fisher.
1870. - Harrison Noble, John T. Kaupp.
1871 .- John G. Gross, H. W. Huber, J. Sidt, D. Seeholts, Obadiah Ham- ers, Simon Snyder, J. M. Hershberger and Michael Myers.
1872 .- Simon Snyder, William Johnson, Alfred Landon, Jacob Schieber and Andrew J. Brickner.
1873 .- John G. Gross, H. W. Huber. John Silvers, Louis Seewald and Obadiah Hainers.
1874 .- Simon Snyder, G. W. Cunningham, Alfred Landon, Jacob Schieber, A. J. Brickner.
1875 .- J. G. Gross, H. W. Huber, S. B. Silvers, Lewis Seewald, B. Schinness.
1876 .- B. F. Myers, John Gilliland, Alfred Landon, George Ernst, A. J. Brickner.
1877 .- Dr. W. J. Crawford, T. J. Kintz, Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, Dr. T. J. Livers, P. Grammes.
1878 .- B. F. Myers, Dr. W. J. Crawford, M. Scannel, John Mossoney, Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, Dr. T. J. Livers, George Ernest, A. J. Brickner, Peter Grammes.
1879 .- B. F. Myers, John Ehrenfried, Josiah Baker, John Mossoney, Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, James W. Love, George Ernest, A. J. Brick- ner, Peter Grammes.
1880 .- J. R. Kinnaman, James Love, Josiah Baker, John Mossoney, Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, John Ehrenfreid, R. A. Gray, Benjamin Schinness, Peter Grammes.
1882 .- Dr. J. P. Kinnaman, James W. Love, John Cox, John F. Zeller, Jeremiah Rex, George Strausbaugh, John B. Ehrenfried, F. D. Kishler, B. Schinness, John Horick.
1883 .- Charles Martin, Dr. Breidinger, John Dore, John Ernest, John Cox, J. W. Love, Dr. J. P. Kinnaman, George Strausbaugh, F. D. Kishler, Benjamin Schinness.
1884. - Simon Snyder, James W. Love, J. A. Norton, John Dore, G. Strausbaugh, John Ernest, F. D. Kishler, Charles Martin, J. N. Williard, J. Bridinger.
487
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
The election of councilmen in 1885, shows the following results: Demo- crat-Holmes. 198; Dore, 209; Baker, 222; Weller, 169; Brickner, 275. Republican-Cramer, 104; Zeller, 161; Strayer, 196; Martin, 131; Stephen- son, 97.
Corporation Statistics .- The valuation and taxation of Tiffin City, in 1884- 85, are shown by the following statistics: value of 715 acres in city lots, $2,260,410; value of personal property, $876,200; total value, $3,136.610; total State tax. $8,782.51; total county and local tax, $88,463.53; total of State, county, local and other charges, $99,924.88, together with $196 dog tax. The population of the city, according to the census of 1880, was 7,879, 6.650 being natives of the United States, and 1,229 foreign born citizens. This number has been increased between 3,000 and 4,000 the last five years. From the elaborate report made by the clerk, Charles J. M. Sullivan, in March, 1885, the following review of the revenue of the city is taken:
General purpose fund ..
$7,914 44
Street improvement fund.
3,291 61
Police fund
4,214 74
Gas fund .
9,080 22
Fire department fund.
5,332 84
Poor fund.
454 58
Interest fund
10,728 84
Water supply fund.
13,751 49
General sewer fund.
1,173 70
Machine shop fund
12,319 23
Washington Street sewer fund.
718 47
Main Street improvement fund.
796 81
East Market Street improvement fund
487 13
Charlotte Street extensive fund.
290 03
Circular Street improvement fund. .
911 02
Greenfield Street improvement fund.
1,308 40
Third Ward Alley sewer fund
502 67
Scipio Street improvement fund.
672 45
South Washington Street improvement fund.
1,270 33
Coe Street improvement fund.
720 27
The statement of corporation debt, March 1, 1885, gives the following figures:
Machine shop bonds, outstanding.
16,150 00
Park refunder bonds, outstanding
7,000 00
Gas bonds. ..
1,500 00
South Washington Street improvement bonds
5,100 00
Scipio Street improvement bonds.
2,800 00
Coe Street improvement bonds
4,500 00
East Market Street improvement bonds
2,100 00
Circular Street improvement bonds.
1,000 00
Greenfield Street improvement bonds
3,800 00
Charlotte Street improvement bonds.
600 00
Stone quarry bonds
3,000 00
Total
$47,550 00
The Police Force .- The beginnings of the police force of Tiffin date back to 1851, when the first marshal was elected. The marshals of the city since 1851 are named as follows: S. H. Kisinger, 1851; A. Nichols, 1852; J. C. Mitchell, 1853; F. Harris, 1855; H. Britton, 1857; J. Zimmer, 1859; L. A. Beilharz, 1861; H. Britton, 1862; C. Muetchler, 1864; R. Nichols, 1871; James George, 1875; W. H. Kisinger, 1883, who was succeeded by Marshal Hummer in 1885-the vote being 974 and 768; Kisinger, the Repub- lican, polling the last named vote. Some years later (1851) a regular body of police was organized with the marshal as chief; but the records of the depart-
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ment give very little information respecting them. It is known that Amos Nichols, now in Chicago, Charles Brish, I. J. C. Shoemaker, George Miller and Isaac Robb were among the members of the old force. From April to November, 1872, the force did not exist, owing to some trouble within the council arising out of nominations. In November, 1872, Brish, Robb and James Hennessy were appointed. Among the number who have served in this department may be named Patrick W. Sweeney, 1873-86; J. C. Lamberson, Henry Schlegel, Michael Cahill, William Hollenberg, Andrew Arnold, Xavier Zints, John W. Stewart, Thomas Falkner, John Hummer and others. Thomas Falkner was added to the force in April, 1885, and in the same month John Hummer was elected marshal. The work of the police, since 1877, shows, in that year, 214 arrests: in 1878, 176 arrests; in 1879, 178; in 1880, 276; in 1881, 236; for the year ending April 1, 1884, 307 arrests, and for eleven months, ending March 1. 1885. 265 arrests. The nationalities repre- sented in this number are Americans, 217; Germans, 26; Irish, 14; French, 3; Canadians, 2; English, 1, and Scotch. 2. One arrest for murder was made, 71 for drunkenness and 80 for disorderly conduct. There were two arrests for chicken-stealing, and 26 connected with houses of evil repute. In September, 1885, the ordinance requiring all houses to be numbered, entailed a new duty on the police.
Fire Department. - In the early days of Tiffin, about the time frame and log-houses began to be overshadowed by the more solid brick structures, the question of organizing a fire department was mooted. but laughed out of all countenance. In later years (1849) a volunteer fire company was organized, with W. H. Gibson, foreman. The first record at hand refers to the Independ- ent Fire Company No. 4, an organization which existed prior to 1859, for on April 12 of that year it was reorganized under State law, with John E. Mc- Cormack, president, A. T. Barnes, vice-president, P. Nyman, treasurer, and F. P. Bloom, clerk. Leonard Adams was clerk of the meeting. The men named, together with J. S. Yerk. C. M. Yerk. H. A. Spayth and John D. Arndt were the incorporators. The older companies, too, changed their organic form. In April, 1867, the Young America Hose Company No. 1 was reorganized. William Kisinger was elected foreman January 6. 1868, and in September of that year received a new four-wheeled hose cart. A few days later they car- ried off the silver trumpet from five competing companies at the Sandusky tournament. At Clyde, in 1869, they won $50, and in July, 1870, they car- ried off the honors of the upper Sandusky tournament. In September of that year they met with a like success at Urbana. At Findlay, in 1871, they carried off a $100 gold prize, and at Mansfield in 1873, a $125 prize. Then followed the Fostoria tournament, which brought additional honors to this company. The loss of the honors at Kenton, and the defeat at Bucyrus, owing to an ac- cident to their carriage. caused a gloom, which was dissipated by their victory at Defiance in 1874. In the great national tournament held at Chicago, they held a fifth place among forty-five competitors. So early as 1849 this company was recognized as one of the best among the pioneer fire organizations. Since its reorganization, almost twenty years after, it has won many laurels. W. H. Bloom is now foreman. The late J. H. Pittinger was treasurer from 1849 to the time of his sudden death. W. H. Bloom is also foreman of Rescue Hose Com- pany No. 1, and Charles J. M. Sullivan, secretary. The fire department was reorganized in April, 1880, into six companies. Very many changes have taken place in these companies within the last five years. In May, 1885, the department comprised ninety-eight uniformed men, distributed through the following named companies and under the foremen named: Rescue Hose Com-
489
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
pany No. 1 -- 16 men; W. H. Bloom, foreman. Surprise Hose Company No. 2-15 men; George Transue, foreman. Alert Hose Company No. 3-20 men, 6 honorary; Louis Schouder, foreman. Protection Hose Company No. 4-15 men: F. X. Steur, foreman. Crescent Hose Company No. 5-17 men; Con- rad Smith. foreman. Union Hook & Ladder Company No 1-15 men; Frank Seinsoth, foreman. In the fire department we have the following list of fire apparatus: Two steam fire engines in excellent working condition, 1 hand engine, 1 two-horse hose carriage, 6 hose carts, 2 hook and ladder trucks, 14 ladders, 5 axes, 4 picks. 4 hooks, 410 feet of rope and chain, 11 rubber buck- ets, 5 steel bars, 8 lanterns, 10 service pipes, 14 tips or nozzles, 1 spray noz- zle, 9 hydrant wrenches, 35 spanners, 100 feet of guard rope, 2 Siamese coup- lings, 1 hydrant gate, 1 leak stop, 1 ring expander, 68 rubber coats, 24 rubber caps and 3,000 feet of serviceable rubber hose. The cost of maintenance for the year ending May. 1885, was $778. The alarms attended to were 17. and the number of actual fires 10.
The dedication of the Firemen's Headquarters took place August 21, 1884. It was one of those reunions such as firemen alone can give. The welcome to the guests on behalf of the "Union Hooks" and the "Rescues" was delivered by Charles J. M. Sullivan, and responded to by J. A. Norton. A few days more than a year after, August 24, 1885, the firemen banqueted their late chief. L. B. Johnson, better known as J. L. Burdette. Their periodical sup- pers and balls are like their services, esteemed.
In 1874 W. H. Bloom was chief engineer of the city fire department. Jo- seph P. Myers was elected chief in 1878. In 1879 Fred. Roller was chief; Fred. Troxel first, and Fred. Keshler second assistant: Roller continued chief in 1880, 1881 and 1882, with Gus Nunaman, first assistant, and Andy Stever second. In 1883 J. L. Burdette was appointed chief engineer. August 12, 1885, he tendered his resignation to the council, and in September, 1SS5, the present chief engineer. John Roller, was appointed.
CHURCHES.
The existence of a God or a Supreme Being is doubted by few: even those who remain for a time plunged in doubt, if not in infidelity, return to His worship, and, like the bird singing to Him in the foliage, or the ocean pro- claiming His immensity in the trackless waste of waters and everlasting hymn, declare His power.
Tiffin is, in fact, a church-going city, and in its public records is found the proof. There cannot exist a doubt regarding the visits of missionaries to the Indians of the Sandusky during the French exploratory period and the Iroquois invasions, but there are no positive evidences of the residence of such . missionaries here.
Rev. Joseph Badger, of the Congregational Church of Blandford, Mass., was appointed chaplain to the northern army in 1812, by Gov. Meigs. and subse- quently attached to Gen. Harrison's command. He made his residence at Up- per Sandusky, under orders from the Missionary Society, and preached to the Indians of this district after the war (Ohio Historical Collections). The early records of this church are among the unknown quantities.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Mrs. Sally Ingham, who settled with her father, James Montgomery, in Pleasant Township, in 1819-herself a lady of clear intellect and memory-states that the first services of this church by Rev. James Montgomery, were given in the Hedges building, on Virgin or Rose Alley, now Court Street. Elijah H. Fields was the first regular preacher who organized a class at Tiffin in 1824. Rev. John W. Clark, a young preacher,
490
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
came in 1825. Ezra Brown came in 1827. In 1828 Rev. Alvin Billings came to aid Brown. In 1829 Rev. Ezekiel E. Cooper and Sprague were the preach- ers until Ezekiel Gavitt replaced Sprague. The first church, a small brick structure, was dedicated when Mrs. Sally Ingham was seventeen years old, in 1828. James McMahon was the first presiding elder. He was succeeded by Bigelow.
In 1830*, when the Fort Ball Circuit extended to Huron County, the preacher was Ezra Brown. E. R. Jewett, born in Middletown, Conn., still living, and Thomas Thompson, deceased, came in 1840. In 1841 William Runneals was preacher in charge. Rev. Starr came in 1842, Shaeffer in 1843, and others served until 1848.
When Harry Cromwell arrived, in 1840, tho old Methodist Church stood on Market Street, nearly opposite Loomis' foundry. This old building was purchased by Luther A. Hall, who fitted it up as a theater, and it was used by traveling companies for several years, Mrs. Drake's and George Powell's com- panies playing there one whole winter every night, in 1850-51. The company boarded with Col. Patterson, who then kept the Shawhan House. The build- ing was purchased by Harter, and used as a marble shop; was recently used as headquarters of the torch-light companies, and is still standing. The second church was erected in 1849-50, at the southeast corner of Market and Monroe Streets. This building is now used as the postoffice. It was sold to John M. Kaull, and converted into a business block. but even after the sale the society continued to worship therein until the interior of the new church was completely finished.
The Northern Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church estab- lished a station at Tiffin, in August, 1848, and appointed Rev. E. S. Grumley its pastor. The first quarterly meeting was held October 14, 1848, at the house of W. D. Searles, with Thomas Barkdull, presiding elder, presiding. The first leader was Jacob Huss; the first stewards, H. Ebbert, Thomas Coe, W. D. Searles, Levi Keller and Elisha Olmstead; H. Ebbert, recording stew- ard; J. W. Patterson, secretary of the conference. In December, 1848, Henry Ebbert was appointed secretary at the second quarterly conference. The third conference was held March 17, 1849, the same officers being present. In June, 1849, N. Redd, an exhorter, and the members of the former conference were present. Two members-Keesy and Brewster-were reported to have moved to California. In November, 1849, Rev. S. L. Yourtree was chosen preacher. S. Arnold and J. Myers were appointed stewards. July 20, 1850, the trustees of St. Paul's Church reported the completion of a house of worship 44x66 feet, with gallery, lecture-room, prayer-meeting room and the class-rooms, at a cost of almost $5,000. The memorial stone of this building bears date 1848. In February, 1851, S. L. Yourtree, with A. Laubach, L. P. and N. Redd. exhorter, formed the ministry. In November, 1851, W. B. Disbro was presiding elder; Alex Nelson, station preacher; A. Laubach and N. Redd, local preachers. In November, 1852, L. B. Gurley succeeded Mr. Nelson as preacher in charge. In August, 1854, J. Carney was appointed local preacher; in December, 1854, John Quigley was appointed local preacher, and in March, 1855, the latter was appointed station preacher. In December, 1855, William C. Peirce was presiding elder: A. Nelson, station preacher; with Messrs. Redd and Carney, local preachers. In November, 1856, C. L. Foote succeeded Rev. Nelson. E. R. Jewett was appointed in October, 1857; John
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